Hampton schools revving up for $8.3 million in building upgrades

HAMPTON— School buildings across Hampton will be buzzing this summer with contractors working on renovation and upgrade projects.

The district revealed this week what work it plans to do with its $8.3 million budget to update schools this summer. The highest-cost projects will be at Kecoughtan and Hampton high schools; each is slated for a $1 million auditorium renovation.

Also on tap: A new roof for Booker Elementary ($700,000); an auditorium renovation at Davis Middle ($800,000); and $225,000 in classroom renovations at Armstrong Elementary, which is wrapping up its first year as a "School of the Arts." An $800,000 front façade upgrade is slated for Bethel High.

Projects sprinkled throughout different schools include parking lot improvements, roof repairs, new floor tiles, and ceiling and lighting upgrades.

Summer projects were determined by input from principals, parents and teachers, according to Tom Sawyer, director of maintenance and operations. They were also informed by site reviews conducted by school groups throughout the school year, and by scheduled capital replacement plans.